Nijmegen’s cultural history stretches back 2,000 years to the Roman settlement. You can explore it in museums and churches as well as throughout the city: Nijmegen has two municipally protected townscapes, and a self-guided walking tour takes you through the cultural history of the city centre.
Roman traces and collections
At Museum De Bastei, your visit takes you past a Roman defensive wall described as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The museum presents Nijmegen’s layered history beneath the ground. Interactive presentations and games are also aimed at younger visitors.
The Valkhof Museum combines art and history: it tells stories of eras, people, cultures and ideas, and presents an art collection alongside more than 40,000 years of history. The Nationaal Fietsmuseum Velorama offers another way to explore the city’s history. Its collection includes original draisines, vélocipèdes, penny-farthings, wooden bicycles and bicycles with special drive systems.
The Infocentrum WO2 Nijmegen presents stories, historical heritage, events and museums in the region relating to the Second World War. Admission is free; check the current access arrangements before your visit.
Churches, towers and historic sites
The late Gothic Stevenskerk stands in the heart of Nijmegen and houses the König organ. It is regarded as a place for culture, reflection, encounters and connection in the city. The gallery of St. Stevenstoren offers views over Nijmegen and the surrounding area. Check the access arrangements for the tower in advance.
The history of individual buildings also tells the story of the city’s transformation. The municipality of Nijmegen saved St. Nicolaaskapel from demolition; in the early 19th century, it and the Barbarossa Ruins were incorporated into a new city park. Valkhofpark is one of the oldest landscape parks in the Netherlands. More than 150 different tree species grow in Kronenburgerpark, and part of Nijmegen’s former city wall has been preserved.
Exploring on foot and by the water
A 5-kilometre self-guided city walk takes you through the cultural history of the city centre. Route details may change, so check the directions before setting out. The muZIEum’s Expeditie Ribbelroute also takes you through Nijmegen city centre as an interactive outdoor experience with augmented reality.
The Waalkade has terraces where you can eat and drink, as well as views over the Waal. From there, you can cross the Ooypoort pedestrian bridge on foot to reach the nearby Ooijpolder floodplains. You can cycle or walk along the Waal and discover the stories of the Waalverhalen along the way. As routes may change, it’s worth checking the latest route before setting out.
Veur Lent near Snelbinder lies between the Natura 2000 sites Uiterwaarden Waal and de Gelderse Poort, and between the secondary channel, also known as Spiegelwaal, and the Waal River. The area is used for recreation, especially in summer, and has a sandy beach. Veur Lent is accessible by train and bus. It is a 15-minute walk from Nijmegen Lent station. On the Stadseiland Veur-Lent, visitors can walk along the water or go stand-up paddleboarding on the secondary channel. This activity may vary in availability depending on the season and conditions.
Walking, tradition and regional insights
The Nijmeegse Vierdaagse has a history spanning more than 120 years. Every year, 42,000 walkers take part; the number may vary from year to year. As part of the event, participants cover 30, 40 or 50 kilometres a day for four consecutive days. The format may change.
Nijmegen is a good base for a day in the Rijk van Nijmegen; the city offers many facilities and places to eat and drink. Those interested in brewing can visit the brewery museum at Brouwerij de Hemel, which welcomes individuals and small groups. Texts, photos, educational films, machines and tools provide information about brewing.
Discover more destinations: Nijmegen, Zevenaar, Doetinchem, West Maas En Waal, Wageningen, Winterswijk, Oldebroek, Putten.
For the regional travel overview: Gelderland.
